Health Advisories and Updates

• 11/19/24: ​First Clade I Mpox Case Confirmed in California and the United States in a Returning Traveler – This Health Advisory summarizes California-specific recommendations on mpox management, including how to obtain expedited clade-specific mpox testing for symptomatic patients with recent international travel exposure history.
• 8/12/2024: ​Update on Clade I Mpox Geographical Spread in Africa: Recommendations for California Health Care Providers​ – This is a health update to the previously released health alert 12/11/23 about the evolving clade I mpox situation in Africa.
  
• 12/11/2023: Clade I Mpox Virus (MPXV) with Geographic Spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Recommendations for California Health Care Providers – This advisory provided information on cases of sexually aquired clade I mpox  infections in the DRC. A corresponding update was released 8/12/2024.
  
• 10/30/2023: Increase in Mpox Cases in California: Updates on Identification, Laboratory Testing, Management and Treatment, and Vaccination for Mpox​ - This advisory provided an update on rising mpox cases and encourages providers to consider mpox in their differential diagnoses, test persons with suspected mpox, treat mpox, and offer vaccine to populations at increased risk to prevent severe mpox disease and reduce the number of new infections. 
  

Laboratories

• ​​Information for Laboratory Personnel​ – CDC information on laboratory reporting, procedures, and biosafety guidelines.
  
• Clade-Specific Testing for Suspected Clade I Mpox— At this time, all specimens collected from a case with suspected clade I mpox virus (MPXV) should be sent to your local public health lab and forwarded to CDPH VRDL (Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory) if the local public health lab does not have clade-specific testing capacity.
• CDPH VRDL MPXV PCR Order​
• CDPH VRDL MPXV WGS Order​
• Guidelines for Collecting and Handling Specimens for Mpox Testing​ – CDC best practices for specimen collection, storage, and shipment of specimens for mpox diagnosis.
  
• CDPH Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) Monkeypox Virus PCR test—Information for specimen submission to VRDL for MPXV PCR, including for clade-specific testing and contact information. 
  
• Title 17 Reportable Disease and Conditions (PDF) – Mpox and orthopoxvirus infections are explicitly reportable by providers and laboratories to the local health department within 1 working day of identification.
• ​ Mpox ​​Virus Medical Waste Management​ Guidelines (PDF) – CDPH guidance for medical waste management for the monkeypox virus. ​Specimens identified as clade I MPXV are regulated as a select agent—see Select Agent Regulations | CDC Biosafety Laboratory Guidance for Handling and Processing Mpox Specimens​ for more information (mpox virus or MPXV).

As a reminder, mpox testing is available at many commercial laboratories and providers should consult their laboratory for submission criteria. Providers may otherwise contact their local health department to inquire about testing through the public health lab if needed, including for clade-specific testing.​​​​​​

Community Guidance

Topics: How to Prevent Mpox | If You Have Mpox​ | ​ Prevention in Non-Clinical Settings | Mpox Q&A

How to Prevent Mpox

• ​Preventing Mpox – CDC guidance on steps to protect yourself from getting mpox.
• ​If You’re a Close Contact to Mpox – CDC guidance on what to do if you are exposed to mpox.
• CDPH Mpox Vaccination – Find providers near you that offer the mpox vaccine.
• Mpox Vaccination—CDC guidance about who should receive the mpox vaccine.
  
• Mpox Q&A – CDPH information for commonly asked questions and answers. 
• ​Travelers Health: Mpox in Central and Eastern Africa – CDC guidance for international travelers and mpox outbreaks outside the U.S.

If You Have Mpox

• ​What to Do If You are Sick – CDC information about how to take care of yourself and notifying close contacts.
  
• Isolation and Infection Control at Home​ – ​CDC information on preventing spread to others.
  
• Cleaning and Disinfecting – CDC information about cleaning and disinfecting at home and other non-healthcare settings.
• Tell Your Partner – Visit tellyourpartner.org to anonymously notify persons of exposure.
• Patient's Guide to Mpox Treatment with Tecovirimat (TPOXX) — CDC information about mpox antiviral treatment (TPOXX) and the STOMP study.
  
• STOMP Study for TPOXX​ (PDF) – Information about the clinical trial evaluating the antiviral treatment TPOXX (Tecovirimat) for mpox infections; patients may talk with their provider or call the study hotline to self-enroll.
• Mpox Q&A—CDPH information including what to expect if you have mpox infection.
  

Prevention in Non-Clinical Settings

• ​​Mpox Considerations for Childcare and School Settings​ – CDPH guidance for administrators and staff of schools and childcare settings. 
• ​Mpox Infection Control in Congregate Settings – CDPH guidance for congregate settings including homeless shelters and correctional facilities. 
• ​Considerations ​for Reducing Mpox Transmission in Congregate Living Settings – CDC guidance for prevention of mpox in congregate settings. ​